Gas enrichment module

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for the gas enrichment of fluids, to a method for producing fluids that are enriched with gases and to the use of the aforementioned device in human and veterinary medicine and the pharmaceutical, foodstuff cosmetic and environmental industries. The invention has a wide range of applications as a result of the salutary and prophylactic action produced by the effective gas enrichment of the fluids enriched by means of the inventive device. In addition, the inventive device has a simple construction, making it cost-effective to produce, easy to operate and portable and allowing the fluids thus enriched to be rapidly available.

The invention relates to a device for gaseous enrichment of fluids, amethod for manufacturing fluids enriched with gases, the use of thenamed device in human and veterinary medicine, in the pharmaceuticalindustry, in the foodstuffs industry, cosmetics, environmental research,environmental technology and in the environmental industry.

Aerobic life on earth was and is a revolutionary stage in the evolutionof the world; it began, inter alia, with the assistance of oxygen,hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, water and photons.

The stage prior to the appearance of life occurred as an existential,natural process resulting from the Big Bang.

The Big Bang and the massive quantity of energy released were followedby a transformation of material into gaseous, vaporous, liquid and solidcomponents, thereby establishing the first building blocks for atomic,molecular and cellular life.

In the primeval atmosphere, oxygen became an existential element, whichrepresents the basis of life for all aerobic organisms.

Oxygen is a highly potent element, which is necessary for life andwhich, in combination with the mitochondrial respiratory chain, iscapable, inter alia, of realising energy recovery via ATP. Oxygenfunctions as an information carrier and provides, inter alia, a quantumeffect.

Moreover, the history and development of science and technology showand/or confirm that a connection exists between gaseous, liquid andsolid media as the principal components of the earth, on the one hand,and photons, on the other hand. Furthermore, as energy carriers of theworld, they represent a macrocosm by comparison with microcosm of thehuman body.

Against this background, it has been shown that, for example,pharmaceutical agents, foodstuffs and cosmetic products enriched withgases provide an expanded spectrum of action and increased efficacy.

The object of the present invention is to create a device for gaseousenrichment of fluids, and a method for using the named device, which canbe manufactured and used in a comparatively simple and cost favourablemanner, and which allows effective gaseous enrichment, wherein“effective” should be understood to mean that a large proportion of gasis dissolved in the fluid, and also that this proportion of gas isretained for a comparatively long period during the time following thegaseous enrichment.

The object of the invention is achieved by a device with the features ofclaim 1 and/or by a method according to the corresponding method claim.

Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

The device for gaseous enrichment according to the invention comprises acontainer for a fluid, in which the fluid to be enriched with gas, isdisposed and/or to which the fluid is supplied. The container can be,for example, a bottle-like, cylindrical or tubular container, preferablymanufactured from steel, ceramic or glass.

Furthermore, means are provided for supplying a gas to the container.These means comprise, for example, a gas bottle, in which the gas isstored before the enrichment and a gas line to the container. The gas issupplied to the device, for example, at 3 to 3.5 bar. Furthermore, meansare provided for supplying the fluid to the container. For instance, asupply of drinking water can be provided as the supply medium, thesupply line, in this case, being connected to the domestic water supply.The fluid is supplied to the device at, for example, 4.5 to 6 bar. Thefluid is normally supplied to the device at a greater pressure than thegas.

Inside the container, the means for supplying the gas and/or the fluidhave multiple, sieve-like perforations, thereby forming output openingsfor the gas and/or fluid. The output openings for the gas are thereforepreferably disposed in the fluid. The provision of sieve-like, multipleperforations in the gas-supply means achieves an effective dissolutionof the gas in the fluid because of the atomising effect. As a result ofturbulence effects in the fluid, the sieve-like, multiple perforationsin the fluid-supply means achieve an effective dissolution of the gas,which is subsequently added to the fluid in the container.

The container may also have double walls or multiple walls. This meansthat the gas concentration in the fluid can advantageously be increased.

As a result of the multiple perforation and the associated distributionof the output openings over a wide area, a relatively widely distributedoutput surface for the gas and/or the fluid is achieved by comparisonwith a single output opening. Accordingly, multiple perforation allowsthe fluid to be introduced into the container and/or the gas to beintroduced into the fluid over a comparatively wider area.

Furthermore, the multiple perforation of the gas-supply means allows thegas to be introduced into the fluid in a similar manner to ashower-head, wherein the gas throughput is distributed over the multipleperforations and, accordingly, the rate of introduction at theindividual perforations is reduced by comparison with a singlegas-output opening with the same gas throughput. As a result, aparticularly even, turbulence-free introduction of gas into the fluid isachieved by comparison. Furthermore, each individual, relatively smallperforation is surrounded by fluid, in which the gas can be dissolved.In this respect, alongside an expanded gaseous enrichment, the multipleperforations additionally achieve a particularly even and effectivegaseous enrichment of the fluid because of the distribution of theoutput openings over a wide area.

Alongside this, the multiple perforations allow an increased gas and/orfluid throughput by comparison with a single output opening, especiallyif the area of all the output openings is larger than a single outputopening as a result of the multiple perforations.

In the context of the present invention, “fluid” should be understood ina broad sense to include liquids, such as drinking water, blood, sera,injection solutions, suspensions, but also fluids of greater viscosity,such as, cosmetic lotions and creams. For instance, if drinking water isenriched with gas, it can be specially pre-purified through filters inthe fluid-supply means, for example, the nitrate, heavy metal, pesticideor insecticide content etc. can be reduced. The relevant gases include,for example, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, helium,neon, krypton, radon, ozone and xenon. The oxygen can be used inmolecular O₂ form, in ionised form or also in singlet form.

Furthermore, a fluid outflow is provided, through which the enrichedfluid is released from the container.

Moreover, the device according to the invention is characterised in thatit can be put into operation quickly because of the comparatively simplestructure. Furthermore, the device is easy to operate and can easily becleaned, for example, using disinfectant agents. The device ispreferably operated to meet the corresponding hygiene regulations, whichare readily fulfilled because of the design according to the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention, several output regions withmultiple, sieve-like perforations, across which the gas and/or fluid issupplied, are provided separately from one another. As a result of themulti-directional supply of gas and/or fluid achieved in this manner,the fluid is enriched in a particularly effective manner. Furthermore,several output regions can be provided to supply different gases and/orfluids, especially if it is technically difficult or impossible to mixthe latter before the gaseous enrichment.

In one advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention,the container is subdivided into volumetric portions, the subdivisionbeing achieved by one or more walls with sieve-like, multipleperforations. A particularly effective enrichment is achieved if severalwalls are provided. For example, an effective gaseous enrichment isachieved with a number from 50 to 60 perforated walls. The wall or wallsrespectively is/are preferably arranged in such a manner that whenflowing from the supply means to the outflow, the fluid and gas flowthrough the perforations of the wall or walls respectively. The wallswith multiple perforations are spaced at such a distance from oneanother that, after the fluid has passed through the perforations ofeach wall, an adequate turbulence is produced to achieve an effectiveenrichment. In practical experiments, a distance from 1 to 2 mm betweenthe walls forming a subdivision has proved to be suitable. The walls mayconsist, for example, of wire mesh or perforated glass, ceramic orsynthetic-material plates.

In another advantageous embodiment, several sieve-like, walls withmultiple perforations are provided in the container, these walls beingperforated at least partially differently from one another. For example,the walls are made from different wire meshes, each of which providesseveral perforations (pores) of 64 μm and 0.1 mm diameter (pore size)respectively. With a combination of differently perforated walls, thefluid is subjected to particularly strong turbulence when flowingthrough each of the different perforations, which results in aparticularly effective enrichment.

In a further advantageous embodiment, several sorts of differentlyperforated walls are provided. These are spatially arranged in periodicalternation. As a result, when seen in the direction of flow of thefluid, repeating sequences of walls, which have different perforationdiameters within a sequence, are provided. As a result, during thecourse of its flow from the supply means to the outflow, the fluid issubjected to different but periodically repeating flow conditions at thewalls. As a result of the periodic flow conditions and the resultingflow behaviour of the fluid, particularly good conditions are providedfor gaseous enrichment.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the means for supplying the fluidor gas are designed in multiple layers and, from layer to layer provideportions with different sieve-like, multiple perforations, which formthe output openings. This means that the fluid and/or gas is already instrong turbulence during its supply to the container, and accordingly, apowerful mixing of gas and fluid is achieved. For this purpose, thesupply means can, for example, provide different wire meshes, whereinthe diameter of the perforations of each layer of wire mesh decreaseswhen seen in the flow direction of the fluid and/or gas. For instance, acombination of one layer of a coarsely perforated (large mesh) wire meshof 2 mm perforation diameter (mesh size), a further layer of a morefinely perforated wire mesh (also referred to as outflow fabric) withmesh size 0.4 mm and one layer of an extremely fine perforated wire mesh(also referred to as filter fabric) with mesh size 0.60 μm achieves aparticularly effective enrichment of gas in the fluid.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the means for supplying the fluidor gas are designed in the form of a tube. Furthermore, the portionswhich are perforated to form output openings are arranged on the casingarea of the tube. Otherwise, no output openings are provided, because,for example, the tube is closed at one end, and accordingly, the fluidwhich flows into the tube via one end surface is forced to flow into thecontainer through the perforated casing area of the tube. The resultingflow conditions and turbulence in the fluid are particularly favourablefor an effective gaseous enrichment.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the container isdesigned in a tubular form. This achieves an even velocity profile inthe flow characteristic. Relaxed-flow zones, for example, at the edgesand in corners, in which bacteria could disadvantageously accumulate,are avoided.

In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device ismanufactured largely from V2A steel. As a result, in addition toresistance to rust, the device provides adequate hygiene for use withfoodstuffs—for example, for the enrichment of drinking water withoxygen.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device ismanufactured largely from electro-polished steel. Electro-polished steelprovides a relatively low roughness. Additionally, the surfaces of thedevice are, by comparison, particularly well de-burred as a result ofthe electro-polishing treatment. The accumulation of contamination orbacteria in the device is avoided.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the container isdesigned to be pressure-tight, so that it can be charged with apressure, for example, by the in-coming gas. Means can also be provided,for placing the container under pressure. The pressure-tight designinfluences, for example, the material and the wall thickness of thecontainer, and also the design of the openings in the container.

For instance, with the exception of the supply line for the gas,existing openings in the container, provided, for example, to filland/or to release the fluid, can be designed to be sealed in apressure-tight manner. For example, the openings are provided with screwclosures or bayonet closures and with rubber seals. Alternatively,supply lines and outflow lines to and from the container can be providedwith locking valves. This means that the gaseous enrichment can beintensified according to the physical laws of gas kinetics, and when anequilibrium has been established, the enrichment with gas is retainedeven after enrichment.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, meansare provided for cooling. Cooling pipes, for example, may be provided inor around the container, through which liquid, cooled using an expansionprocess, is fed; or Peltier elements may be attached to the container.As a result, the gaseous enrichment can be intensified according to thephysical laws of gas kinetics.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, themeans for supplying the gas are essentially cylindrical, conical,spiral, ellipsoidal, spherical, funnel-shaped, nozzle-shaped orwave-shaped in the region around the output openings for the gas. Thismeans that the gas output openings are distributed over a relativelylarge area, that is to say, the perforated area is expanded. As a resultof this measure, a particularly efficient and even gaseous enrichment isachieved.

A further advantageous variant of the device according to the inventionprovides at least one valve as a component of the means for supplyingthe gas. The gas supply can advantageously be interrupted and/orregulated with this valve. Furthermore, if the container is separatedfrom the gas-supply means, then, with an appropriate arrangement ofvalves, the valve and/or valves can be used to achieve this separationwithout a loss of gas into the gas-supply means and/or the container. Inparticular, the gas-supply means, for example, a gas container, can bereplaced without loss of gas.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to theinvention, the means for supplying the gas is fitted with a manometer.The pressure of the supplied gas can advantageously be read off and/ormonitored in this manner, so that it can be regulated by means ofadditionally provided means, such as a valve.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to theinvention, the means for supplying the gas is fitted with a pressurereducer. As a result, the pressure of the supplied gas canadvantageously be reduced and adjusted to a constant level. Thisachieves a particularly even gaseous enrichment, especially if the fluidis enriched with the gas in a continuous process, that is to say, if thefluid is supplied to and removed from the container continuously.

In another advantageous embodiment of the device according to theinvention, the container provides several narrowings. These are arrangedin such a manner relative to the gas-output openings that the gasoutput, and/or the optionally provided fluid supply, causes a flow inthe fluid, which has a promoting effect on the gaseous enrichment. Forexample, the fluid is disposed in a tubular container, fitted with afluid inlet and a fluid outflow, wherein the container narrows as if ithas been tied in several places about its tubular axis. The fluid flowsthrough the tubular container from the fluid inlet to the fluid outflow.In a bulge-like thickening of the tube disposed between two narrowings,the gas is supplied to the fluid via one or more perforated gas-outputregions from one side or from more than one side. By arranging thegas-output regions in the resulting bulge-like widenings between thenarrowings of the container, the direction of flow of the fluid aftereach narrowing is deflected especially towards the gas-output openingsas a result of the effects of flow behaviour, and therefore achieves aparticularly effective gaseous enrichment. In a further embodiment, theoutput regions are arranged in the narrowings. Because of the increasedflow rate of the fluid within the narrowings of the container and thepressure and/or compression effects on the molecules occurring as aresult, the fluid is enriched with gas in a particularly effectivemanner.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, atleast one fluid inlet and fluid outflow into and from the container areprovided. In addition to simply supplying and removing the fluid intoand from the container, this allows both processes to take placesimultaneously. As a result, in addition to the time saving gained witha continuous process, the fluid can be enriched evenly, with the samequantity of gas per quantity of fluid flowing through the container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, components of the parts of the gassupply means, which are disposed in the container, are mounted in arotationally mobile manner. For example, the regions around the outputopenings rotate about a rotational axis. The axis can be the axis ofrotational symmetry of those regions of the output openings for the gasindicated above, which are designed in a rotationally symmetrical form,for example, in a cylindrical, conical, ellipsoidal, spherical,funnel-shaped form. Furthermore, with a spiral region, an axis passingthrough the centre of the spiral can be provided as the rotational axis,and/or, with a wave-shaped output region, an axis of rotation can beprovided in the centre of the wave form in the longitudinal direction ofthe wave form. The rotationally mobile mounting allows a rotationalmovement of the output openings thereby achieving a particularlyeffective and even gaseous enrichment. In one embodiment, the rotationalmovement is provided with a mechanical drive. In other embodiments, therecoil property of the flow of gas is exploited to obtain a simpledevice at the same time as achieving a particularly effective gaseousenrichment. For instance, the output openings are arrangedappropriately, or each of their output directions is arranged relativeto the rotational axis in order to achieve an overall rotational momentwith reference to the rotational axis, thereby inducing a rotationalmovement of the output openings.

In a further variant, the output openings provide different openingsizes. As a result, different flow rates are achieved at the outputopenings, in order to achieve an overall rotational moment withreference to the rotational axis, thereby inducing a rotational movementof the output openings.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the manufacture offluids enriched with gas using the device according to the claims. Withthis method, a fluid enriched with gas can be manufactured in aparticularly cost-favourable and efficient manner, for example, forapplications in chemistry, biochemistry, physics and biophysics, humanmedicine, veterinary medicine, in the pharmaceutical and environmentalindustries. The device and the associated method operate in aparticularly environment-friendly manner and can, in particular, be usedwith existing natural products, such as natural drinking water, on theone hand, and naturally occurring gases on the other hand. At the sametime, the comparatively simple device allows the method to be usedrapidly thereby manufacturing the enriched fluids in a short time.Further advantageous effects of the method are covered by the namedadvantages of the embodiments of the device. The term “natural drinkingwater” is understood to include, inter alia, water from a spring or asource.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention is advantageouslyused in medicinal and pharmaceutical applications, for example, forgaseous enrichment of blood products, sera, injection solutions,suspensions, drops, lotions, creams or tinctures. Moreover, thegas-enriched fluids can be used as micronutrients or can provide aprophylactic or health-promoting effect or improve the quality of life.The device and/or the associated gas-enriched fluids are used inmedicine as a supporting measure in trauma therapy, as an intensifyingmeasure for a pharmaceutical treatment, for example, with antibiotics,and in the treatment of migraine. For example, the device is used inoxygen therapy, for example, peroral oxygen therapy (POT). With peroraloxygen therapy, an optimum absorption and utilisation of oxygen in thebody is achieved in order to combat cellular hypoxia as a major problemin the cell. Moreover, an optimum water and electrolyte budget, andharmonisation and maintenance of the body environment is achieved. Thismethod is carried out as a supplementary therapy with conventional andother methods of therapy. Accordingly, the use of POT in patients withischaemic and hypoxic heart-rhythm disturbances produces positivetherapeutic effects. Moreover, in patients with ophthalmic disorders, animprovement, for example, a reversal of a raised intra-ocular pressure,can be achieved. Furthermore, positive effects are found in cancertreatment: hypoxic cancer cells are resistant to radiation therapy andare sensitised to radiation and to many cytostatic agents; as a result,they can therefore be more intensively damaged. An oxygenation of atumour can be achieved with POT. This method is therefore particularlyrecommended in the context of a combined, conventional cancer therapy(operation, chemotherapy and radiation therapy). No side-effects areassociated with this method. Liver values can be improved and a livertumour can be treated and/or a successful contribution towards treatmentcan at least be provided.

Otherwise, the device according to the invention has a very wide rangeof applications, the embodiment and size of the device being adaptedaccording to the area of application and the quantity of fluid to beenriched with gas. For example, a device with a fluid inlet and a fluidoutflow can be used for gaseous enrichment of drinking water, the fluidinlet being connected to the drinking-water supply.

If a mobile use of the device is required, for example, in a vehicle,the device is designed with small dimensions and is not operatedcontinuously, that is to say, the container is filled with fluid; thefluid is then enriched with gas and the enriched fluid is removed.

With a mobile enrichment-system optimised and installed onboard a ship,contaminated and polluted water from rivers and lakes can be purifiedand enriched with oxygen.

Diagrams:

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the device.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of another embodiment, which differs fromFIG. 1 in the shape of the output region of the gas-supply means.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment, which differsfrom the preceding diagrams, inter alia, because the container comprisesa fluid inlet and a fluid outflow, so that the device can be operated ina continuous process.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment which differs bycomparison with FIG. 3 in the shape of the output region of thegas-supply means.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment, which differsfrom the previous embodiments, inter alia, in that the containercomprises several narrowings, and in that gas is supplied to thecontainer from more than one side.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment, in which, bycontrast with FIG. 5, the gas output openings are arranged in the regionof the narrowings in the container.

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of the deviceaccording to the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a transverse section through a container in a furtherembodiment with a double gas-supply line and double fluid-supply line.

FIG. 9 shows a transverse section of a further embodiment of theinvention, wherein the container is designed in tubular form, and thefluid-supply and gas-supply means respectively comprise perforatedoutput portions.

FIG. 10 shows a transverse section of a further embodiment of theinvention, wherein, by contrast with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, thetubular, perforated output portions are dispensed with, but instead, thecontainer is more extensively provided with perforated walls.

FIG. 11 shows a transverse section of a further embodiment of theinvention, wherein, by contrast with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, thegas-supply means also comprise tubular, perforated output portions.

FIG. 12 shows a transverse section of a further embodiment of theinvention wherein, by contrast with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, onlythe gas-supply means comprise tubular, perforated output portions.

FIG. 13 shows a transverse section of a further embodiment of theinvention, wherein, by contrast with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9,only-the gas-supply and fluid-supply means are arranged at right anglesto one another.

FIG. 14 shows a transverse section of a further embodiment of theinvention, wherein, inter alia, the gas-supply means, the fluid-supplymeans and the fluid outflow each comprise a non-return valve and a swirlnozzle.

FIG. 15 shows a transverse section of a further embodiment of theinvention, in which a sponge-like structure is used.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention, wherein the gas-supplymeans comprise a gas container 2, a supply line 3, a cylindrical region4 around the gas output openings and a pressure reducer 6. With thesemeans, the gas is supplied to the bottle-shaped container 1, in whichthe fluid is disposed. The cylindrical region 4 provides multipleperforations, so that the gas can flow into the fluid. This perforatedregion may comprise one or more walls. The fluid is accordingly enrichedwith the gas. An outflow 5 for the fluid is provided in the container.The fluid enriched with gas can be removed from the device at thetapping point 8. Furthermore, a valve 7 is provided, on the one hand, tointerrupt the outward flow; and on the other hand, the container 1 canbe sealed in a pressure-tight manner apart from the gas supply line 3,so that the gaseous enrichment can be carried out according to thephysical laws of gas kinetics, thereby achieving a particularly goodgaseous enrichment of the fluid. The illustrated embodiment of thedevice according to the invention is used especially if the supply, thegaseous enrichment and the removal of the fluid are not to be carriedout continuously.

The interior of the cylindrical region 4 can be sponge-like or may befilled with perforated plates in order to realise the gaseous enrichmentmore effectively. Perforated plates are preferably arrangedperpendicular to the direction of flow of the gas. The sponge-likestructure can be realised by filling with sand.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the invention, wherein the meansfor supplying the gas comprise a gas container 2, a supply line 3, aconical region 9 around the gas-output openings, and a pressure reducer6. With these means, the gas is supplied to the bottle-shaped container1, in which the fluid is disposed.

The conical region 9 is provided with multiple perforations, so that thegas can flow into the fluid. The conical region may have one or morewalls. In particular, its interior can be designed to be sponge-like.The fluid is accordingly enriched with gas. An outflow 5 for the fluidis provided in the container 1. The fluid enriched with gas can beremoved from the device at the tapping point 8. Furthermore, a valve 7is provided, on the one hand, in order to interrupt the outward flow; onthe other hand the container 1 can be sealed in a pressure-tight mannerapart from the gas supply line 3, so that the gaseous enrichment can becarried out in this manner, thereby ensuring a particularly good gaseousenrichment of the fluid according to the physical laws of gas kinetics.This illustrated embodiment of the device according to the invention isused in particular, if the supply, the gaseous enrichment and theremoval of the fluid are not to be carried out continuously.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the device, wherein the container1, which is tubular in this embodiment, is provided with a supply line11 and an outflow 12 for the fluid, in order to achieve a continuousoperation of the device. The gas is supplied from the gas container 2via the supply line 3 and the pressure reducer 6 to the ellipsoidaloutput region 9 with its multiple perforations inside the container 1.The output region 9 may comprise one or more walls. The gas isintroduced here through the output openings of the perforated region 9into the fluid, which has flowed via the supply line 11 into thecontainer 1. The fluid enriched in this manner is removed via theoutflow 12. The output region 13 may comprise one or more walls.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the device, wherein, once again,the container 1, which is tubular in this embodiment, is provided with afluid inlet 11 and a fluid outflow 12, to allow a continuous operationof the device. The gas is supplied from the gas container 2 via thesupply line 3 and the pressure reducer 6 to the output region 13, which,in this variant embodiment, is conical and provides multipleperforations inside the container 1. At this position, the gas isintroduced through output openings of the perforated regions 13 into thefluid, which has been introduced via the fluid inlet 11 into thecontainer 1. The fluid enriched in this manner is removed via the fluidoutflow 12. The output region 13 may comprise one or more walls.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the device, wherein, in addition tothe fluid inlet 11 and fluid outflow 12 as illustrated, the container 1is provided with several narrowings 15 and resulting bulge-likethickenings 16. Furthermore, two gas containers 2, two supply lines 3,two pressure reducers 6 and two gas output regions 14 are provided. As aresult, in addition to providing gaseous enrichment from more than oneside, which is therefore effective, it is possible to enrich the fluidwith different gases. The gas is supplied from each gas container 2 viathe supply line 3 and the pressure reducer 6 to the output region 14,which, in this variant, is designed in the form of a nozzle and providesmultiple perforations inside the container 1. Each gas is introducedthrough output openings of the perforated region 14 into the fluid,which has been introduced into the container 1 via the fluid inlet 11.The fluid enriched in this manner is removed via the outflow 12. Theoutput regions 14 in this embodiment are arranged in the bulge-likethickening of the container 1. Because of the expanded cross-section,the fluid flows in a targeted manner after the narrowing 15 towards thegas output regions 14, as shown by the arrows in the drawing. As aresult, the gaseous enrichment is particularly effective.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the device, wherein, in addition tothe fluid inlet 11 and the fluid outflow 12, the container 1 asillustrated is also provided with several narrowings 15 and resultingbulge-like thickenings 16. Above this, several gas supply lines 3 areprovided, by means of which one or more different gases are introducedvia output regions 15 disposed inside the container 1. In this variant,the output regions 15 are arranged in the narrowings of the container 1.The resulting reduction in cross-section causes a local increase in theflow rate of the fluid, thereby achieving a more effective gaseousenrichment. The gas container is not illustrated, because the type ofstorage of the gas and/or the source of the gas is not relevant to theembodiment shown. Furthermore, the gas-liquid mixture is compressed,which leads to a more effective gaseous enrichment.

FIG. 7 shows a further variant embodiment of the invention, whichcomprises a tubular container 1 provided with a fluid inlet 11 and afluid outflow 12. The gaseous enrichment takes place from two sidesrelative to the container 1 via each of the gas supply lines 3 and themultiple perforations of the cylindrical output regions 17.

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view through a container 1 in a furtherembodiment with a double gas supply 3 and a double inlet 11 for thefluid. In each case, nozzle-like output regions 18, through which thefluid is enriched with gas, are arranged together in a star shape.

FIG. 9 shows a transverse section through a container 21 in a furtherembodiment of the invention. The end faces of the tubular container 21are provided with covers 22, 23, which seal the tubular container in apressure-tight manner by means of sealing rings 24. In an alternativedevelopment of the container according to the invention, the containercomprises only one removable cover, while the tubular container and theother cover are designed in one piece. In the embodiment illustrated,the container 21 is 180 mm long, with an internal diameter of 50 mm, awall thickness of 1.6 mm and is manufactured from V2A steel of type1.4401. The container 21 is subdivided into volumetric portions by meansof walls 30 with multiple perforations. The circular walls 30 aremanufactured from stainless steel wire mesh framed by folded sheetsteel. The walls 30 are orientated parallel to the covers 22, 23 and,after removal of the covers 22 or 23, can easily be inserted into thecontainer 21 or removed from the container 21 for cleaning purposes orin order to adapt the required level of gaseous enrichment. Forinstance, 86 walls 30 made from two sorts of wire mesh are used withmesh sizes (perforation diameter) of 64 μm and 0.1 mm respectively. Thetwo sorts of walls 30 are fitted into the container 21 in an alternatingsequence in order to achieve an effective gaseous enrichment. The fluidis supplied to the container 21 via the opening 25 in the cover 22.Furthermore, the fluid-supply means provide a tubular element 28 ofapproximately 9 cm length and 2.5 cm external diameter, of which thecasing 27 comprises several layers. In its interior, the casing 27consists of coarse (coarsely perforated) stainless steel mesh of 2 mmperforation diameter (mesh size) in order to stabilise the structure, alayer of more finely perforated wire mesh with 0.4 mm mesh size disposedabove this, and a layer of extremely finely perforated wire mesh with0.60 μm mesh size. Otherwise, no output openings for fluid are providedin the container 21. Accordingly, one end 29 of the tube 28 is closed,and the fluid, which is introduced into the tube 28 at the other end, isforced to flow into the container 21 through the perforated casing 27 ofthe tube 28.

The gas is supplied to the container 21 through the opening 37 in thecover 22. Furthermore, the gas-supply means comprise a tubular element35 of approximately 9 cm length and 2.5 cm external diameter, of whichthe casing 34 comprises several layers. In its interior, the casing 34consists of coarse (coarsely perforated) stainless steel wire mesh of 2mm perforation diameter (mesh size) in order to stabilise the structure,a layer of a finely perforated wire mesh of 0.4 mm mesh size disposedabove this, and a layer of an extremely finely perforated wire mesh with0.60 μm mesh size. Otherwise no output openings into the container 21are provided for gas. Accordingly, one end 36 of the tube and 35 isclosed, and the gas, which is introduced at the other end of the tube35, is therefore forced to flow into the container 21 through theperforated casing 34 of the tube 35.

The tubular elements of the gas and/or fluid supply means are eachdisposed parallel to the casing of the tubular container 21, in order toachieve an effective gaseous enrichment in the fluid surrounding thetubular supply elements. The flow conditions and turbulence in the fluidresulting from the design and arrangement are particularly favourablefor an effective gaseous enrichment.

Alternatively or additionally, gas can be supplied to the container 21through the opening 31, which is a component of the gas-supply means,and then added to the fluid with the assistance of the turbulence and/orflow conditions created at the perforated walls 30 in combination withthe output openings of the tubular supply means 28, 35. The opening 31can be arranged as illustrated, in the centre of the container 21. In analternative embodiment not illustrated here, the opening 31 is arrangedin the region of the tubular gas and/or fluid supply elements, therebyachieving a gaseous enrichment different from the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 9 with an opening 31 disposed centrally. The enriched fluid canbe removed from the container 21 via the outflow 26, which is providedas an opening in the cover 23. With the embodiment of the inventiondescribed above, for example, with drinking water supplied at 1.9 bar,an oxygen enrichment of 52 mg/litre can be achieved at 19° C., or anenrichment of 72 mg/litre can be achieved at 12° C. The gaseousenrichment conditions can therefore be adjusted by selecting thepressure and temperature conditions.

FIG. 10 shows a transverse section through a container 21 in a furtherembodiment of the invention. The ends of the tubular container 21 arefitted with covers 22, 23, which close the tubular container in apressure-tight manner via sealing rings 24. The container 21 is, forexample, 180 mm long with an internal diameter of 63 mm and a wallthickness of 1.6 mm and is manufactured from V2A steel of type 1.4404.The container 21 is subdivided into volumetric portions by walls 30 withmultiple perforations. The circular walls 30 are manufactured fromstainless steel wire mesh framed by folded sheet steel. The walls 30 arearranged parallel to the covers 22, 23 and, after removing the cover 22or 23, can easily be introduced into the container 21 or removed fromthe container 21 for cleaning purposes or in order to adapt the requiredlevel of gaseous enrichment. The fluid is supplied to the container 21via the opening 25 in the container 21. The gas is supplied to thecontainer 21 through the opening 31, which is a component of thegas-supply means and then added to the fluid with the assistance of theturbulence and/or flow conditions created at the perforated walls 30.The fluid enriched in this manner can be removed from the container 21via the outflow 26, which is provided as an opening in the cover 23.

FIG. 11 shows a transverse section through a container 21 in a furtherembodiment of the invention. The ends of tubular container 21 are fittedwith covers 22, 23, which close the tubular container in apressure-tight manner via sealing rings 24. The container 21 issubdivided into volumetric portions by walls 30 with multipleperforations. The circular walls 30 are manufactured from stainlesssteel wire mesh framed by folded sheet steel. The walls 30 are arrangedparallel to the covers 22, 23 and, after removing the cover 22 or 23,can easily be introduced into the container 21 or removed from thecontainer 21 for cleaning purposes or in order to adapt the requiredlevel of gaseous enrichment. The fluid is supplied to the container 21via the opening 25 in the container 21. Furthermore, the fluid-supplymeans comprise a tubular element 32, of which the casing is providedwith multiple perforations forming output openings. Alternatively,corresponding to an embodiment which is not illustrated, the elements 32can be designed in the form of a sphere, an ellipsoid or a cuboid. Thegas is supplied to the container 21 through the opening 31. Furthermore,the gas-supply means comprise a tubular element 33, of which the casingis provided with multiple perforations forming output openings.Alternatively, corresponding to an embodiment, which is not illustrated,the element 33 can be designed in the form of a sphere, an ellipsoid ora cuboid. The gas is added to the fluid with the assistance of theturbulence and/or flow conditions produced at the perforated walls 30 incombination with the output openings of the tubular fluid-supply means32 and gas-supply means 33. The fluid enriched in this manner can beremoved from the container 21 via the outflow 26, which is provided asan opening in the cover 23.

FIG. 12 shows a transverse section through a container 21 in a furtherembodiment of the invention. The ends of the tubular container 21 arefitted with covers 22, 23, which close the tubular container in apressure-tight manner via sealing rings 24. The container 21 issubdivided into volumetric portions by walls 30 with multipleperforations. The circular walls 30 are manufactured from stainlesssteel wire mesh framed by folded sheet steel. The walls 30 are arrangedparallel to the covers 22, 23 and, after removing the cover 22 or 23,can easily be introduced into the container 21 or removed from thecontainer 21 for cleaning purposes or in order to adapt the requiredlevel of gaseous enrichment. The fluid is supplied to the container 21via the opening 25 in the container 21. The gas is supplied to thecontainer 21 through the opening 31 in the container 21. Furthermore,the gas-supply means comprise a tubular element 33, of which the casingis provided with multiple perforations forming output openings. The gasis added to the fluid with the assistance of the turbulence and/or flowconditions produced at the perforated walls 30 in combination with theoutput openings of the tubular fluid supply means 32 and gas-supplymeans 33 arranged centrally in the container 21. The fluid enriched inthis manner can be removed from the container 21 via the outflow 26,which is provided as an opening in the cover 23.

FIG. 13 shows a transverse section through a container 21 in a furtherembodiment of the invention. The ends of the tubular container 21 arefitted with covers 22, 23, which close the tubular container in apressure-tight manner via sealing rings 24. The container 21 issubdivided into volumetric portions by walls 30 with multipleperforations. The circular walls 30 are manufactured from stainlesssteel wire mesh framed by folded sheet steel. The walls 30 are arrangedparallel to the covers 22, 23 and, after removing the cover 22 or 23,can easily be introduced into the container 21 or removed from thecontainer 21 for cleaning purposes or in order to adapt the requiredlevel of gaseous enrichment. Furthermore, the fluid-supply meanscomprise a tubular element 28, of which the casing 27 is provided withmultiple, sieve-like perforations forming output openings for the fluidinto the container 21. Otherwise, no output openings for fluid areprovided in the container 21. Accordingly, one end 29 of the tube 28 isclosed, and the fluid, which is introduced at the other end of the tube28, is therefore forced to flow into the container 21 through theperforated casing 27 of the tube 28.

The gas is supplied to the container 21 via the opening 31. Furthermore,the gas-supply means comprise a tubular element 35, of which the casing34 provides sieve-like, multiple perforations forming output openingsfor the gas into the container 21. Otherwise, no output openings for gasare provided in the container 21. Accordingly, one end 36 of the tube 35is closed, and the gas, which is introduced at the other end of the tube35, is therefore forced to flow into the container 21 via the perforatedcasing 34 of the tube 35.

The tubular elements of the gas-supply and fluid-supply meansrespectively are each arranged at right angles to one another in orderto achieve an effective gaseous enrichment in the fluid surrounding thetubular supply elements. The flow conditions and turbulence produced inthe fluid as a result of this design and arrangement are particularlyfavourable for an effective gaseous enrichment. The enriched fluid canbe removed from the container 21 via the outflow 26, which is providedas an opening in the cover 23.

A sieve 150 with very fine mesh is advantageously disposed between twobulge-like thickenings 16 in order to improve the gaseous enrichment.

FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment of the invention. This provides atubular container 21, which is closed at the ends in a pressure-tightmanner by the covers 22, 23. The container 21 is fitted with walls 30with multiple perforations in such a manner that the container 21 issubdivided into volumetric portions. The circular walls 30 aremanufactured from stainless steel wire mesh framed by folded sheetsteel. The walls 30 are arranged parallel to the covers 22, 23 and,after removing the cover 22 or 23, can easily be introduced into thecontainer 21 or removed from the container 21 for cleaning purposes orin order to adapt the required level of gaseous enrichment. The fluid issupplied to the container 21 through the opening 25. The supply meansfor the fluid comprise a non-return valve 40. This allows adepressurised connection and/or disconnection of the device from thelines supplying the fluid. The non-return valve can optionally also becombined with the other embodiments described above. Furthermore, thefluid-supply means comprise a swirl nozzle 41. This improves the gaseousenrichment by intensifying the turbulence of the fluid introduced. Thisadditional effect can also be achieved in the other embodimentsdescribed above by providing a swirl nozzle 4.1. The gas is supplied tothe container 21 via the opening 31 in the cover 23. The gas-supplymeans comprise a tubular element 33, the casing of which providesmultiple, sieve-like perforations forming output openings for the gasinto the container 21. The supply means for the gas comprise anon-return valve 40. This allows a depressurised connection and/ordisconnection of the device from the lines supplying the gas.Furthermore, a swirl nozzle 41, which guarantees an intensifiedturbulence of the gas entering the container 21, is provided at theoutput opening 31. The tubular element of the gas-supply means isorientated at right angles to the fluid-output opening in order toachieve an effective gaseous enrichment in the container 21. The flowconditions and turbulence in the fluid resulting from this design andarrangement are particularly favourable for an effective gaseousenrichment. The enriched fluid can be removed from the container 21 viathe outflow 26, which is provided as an opening in the cover 22. Inorder to avoid a disadvantageous return flow of enriched fluid into thecontainer 21, a non-return valve 40 is also provided at the outflow 26.Another swirl nozzle 41 arranged after the outflow 26 provides anadditional, advantageous turbulence in the enriched fluid.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 shows a bottle-like innercontainer 151, which comprises a gas-supply line 152 at one end. Thecontainer 151 is provided with at least one perforated wall. The fluidis supplied to an outer container 153 via supply lines 154, which cancomprise swirl nozzles. An outflow 155, which can be closed, is providedat the opposite end. The walls of the container 153 can be permeable tophotons, so that the contents can be irradiated with photons to improvethe desired effects. The inner container 151 is provided with sand 156or perforated layers.

The invention can be provided for extremely small devices as well as formedium-sized or large industrial plants. It can be realised withdifferent dimensions.

1. Device for gaseous enrichment of fluids, comprising a container for afluid; means for supplying a gas to the container; means for supplyingthe fluid to the container; a fluid outflow; wherein the means forsupplying the gas and/or the fluid are provided with multiple sieve-likeperforations forming output openings.
 2. Device for gaseous enrichmentof fluids according to claim 1, wherein the container is subdivided intovolumetric portions, the subdivision being achieved by one or more wallswith multiple, sieve-like perforations between the portions.
 3. Devicefor gaseous enrichment of fluids according to claim 2, wherein severalwalls with multiple, sieve-like perforations are provided in thecontainer, the said walls are at least partially perforated withmutually different, multiple, sieve-like perforations.
 4. Device forgaseous enrichment of fluids according to claim 3, wherein at least twosorts of walls with different, multiple, sieve-like perforations areprovided, these said walls being spatially arranged in an alternatingmanner within the container.
 5. Device for gaseous enrichment of fluidsaccording to claim 1, wherein the means for supplying the fluid or gashave portions designed in multiple layers and perforated with multiple,sieve-like perforations, which are different from layer to layer, andwhich form said output openings.
 6. Device for gaseous enrichment offluids according to claim 1, wherein the means for supplying the fluidor gas are designed in a tubular form, and the portions, which providemultiple sieve-like perforations forming output openings, are arrangedin the casing of the tubes, and otherwise no further output openings areprovided.
 7. Device for gaseous enrichment of fluids according to claim1, wherein the container is designed in a tubular form.
 8. Device forgaseous enrichment of fluids according to claim 1, which is manufacturedlargely from V2A steel.
 9. Device for gaseous enrichment of fluidsaccording to claim 1, which is manufactured largely fromelectro-polished steel.
 10. Device for gaseous enrichment of fluidsaccording to claim 1, wherein the container is pressure-tight. 11.Device for gaseous enrichment of fluids according to claim 1, andincluding means for cooling.
 12. Device for gaseous enrichment of fluidsaccording to claim 1, wherein the means for supplying the gas aredesigned substantially in the form of a cylinder, cone, spiral,ellipsoid, sphere, funnel, nozzle or wave in the region around the gasoutput openings.
 13. Device for gaseous enrichment of fluids accordingto claim 1, wherein the means for supplying the gas include at least onevalve.
 14. Device for gaseous enrichment of fluids according to claim 1,wherein the means for supplying the gas include a manometer.
 15. Devicefor gaseous enrichment of fluids according to claim 1, wherein the meansfor supplying the gas include a pressure reducer.
 16. Device for gaseousenrichment of fluids according to claim 1, wherein the container has oneor more narrowings.
 17. Device for gaseous enrichment of fluidsaccording to claim 1, wherein components of the supply means are mountedfor rotation within the container.
 18. Method for manufacturing fluidsenriched with gas using a device according to claim 1, wherein a gas isadded to a fluid.
 19. Method for manufacturing fluids enriched with gasusing a device according to claim 1, wherein a fluid is supplied in acontinuous process for gaseous enrichment and flows out from the gaseousenrichment enriched with gas.
 20. Use of the device according to claim 1for the manufacture of medicinal preparations.